Newcastle Falcons 2013/2014

First topic message reminder :

Manager: Dean Richards
Head Coach: Peter Russell (Leaving at the end of the season)
Forwards Coach: John Wells
Defence Coach: Graham Steadman
 
Current Squad: Underlined are new signings coming in the summer 2014
 
Forwards
Props: Grant Shiels, Oliver Tomasczyk, Keiron Brookes, Scott Wilson, Jeff Hallam, Rob Vickers , Eric Fry
Hookers: Matt Thompson, Scott Lawson, George McGuigan, David Nelson, Rob Hawkins
Second Rows:Scott MacLeod, Sean Tomes, Frasier McKensie, Dom Barrow, Callum Green  
Back Row:Ally Hogg, Will Welch, Richard Mayhew, Andy Saull, Mark Wilson, Chris York, Ben Morris, Semisi Taulava

Backs
SH's: Chris Pilrgrim (Signed for Leeds), Warren Fury, Mike Blair, Andy Davies, Ruki Tipuna
Fh's: Joel Hodgson, Rory Clegg, Phil Godman, Craig Willis 
Centres: Juan Pablo Socino, Jamie Helleur, James Fitzpatrick (Signed for Leeds), Alex Crocket, Adam Powell, Danny Barnes, Gonzalo Tiesi, Chris Harris  
Wing: Ryan Shortland, Noah Cato, Zac Kibirige, Sinoti Sinoti, Sean Brown, Tom Penny, Lee Smith
FB's: Tom Catterick, Alex Tait, Simon Hammersley

Out of contract Summer 2014:
Grant Shiells  
Oliver Tomaszczyk  
Gary Strain
Sean Tomes  
Ian Nagle (Trial till end of season)
Harry Spencer (Trial till end of season)
Chris York
Warren Fury  
Joel Hodgson  
Alex Crockett  
Ryan Shortland

Whats up with Shiels and Montanella?

Is Shiels long term injured?

I see Joel Hodgson and Ben Morris have gone to Rotherham on duel registration for the rest of the season.

At least they'll both play regularly.

Good move for them, hopefully the link with Rotherham will help us get their Arg centre.

Yes that would be a bonus...Sochino (or something like that)

Yea something like that, we need a top goal kicker. Him and Hodgson supposed to link really well

So Dean Richards is now bemoaning "all the retirements " this season as another reason for the tough season.

No Dean...if you had stuck with a regular team instead of changing it all every game...and played the best players then we'd have done better.

Playing Vickers at 1 when you have grant Shiels and Montanella is a poor decision...persisting with Phil Godman when he has been woeful is a poor decision...persisting with Fury when he is appalling is a poor decision.

Why has Kibirige etc not been given a good run out...hes way better than Cato etc etc.

Next season is going to be so interesting to see what sort of signings come in and what direction we go.

Yea defiantly GF.

I've heard Shiels has had a back injury and only used in desperation, not sure Montella is fully fit either.

Heard we bossed the scrum at the weekend, at least we can say Barrow, Lawson and Brookes have been positives.

Quote from Lee Smith:

Smith himself has been spending the past fortnight doing his homework, stating: “I got in Monday morning of last week and was introduced to the lads, got all my kit and was straight out on to the training field.

“I have been staying in a hotel during the week and going back home on my day off, so I am taking a full part in training and just getting into it.

“Learning the play-book has been a big thing to start with, and there are a load of new calls and patterns to take in.

“There have been some early mornings just sat there with my cup of coffee going through every call, and it has been a good experience so far.”

We have a play book?

 

Having just looked at the league table, I too am surprised to hear you have a play book Pooly.

What's going on up at Falcons? 7 tries in 14 games and averaging less than 10 points a match, I expected more from a team coached by Deano.

Its called playing Godman at FH Ozzy. The guy isnt even championship standard.

A playbook?! Holy moly!!!

Yes Sarge i appreciate Shiells is in big trouble with his back and Montanella hasnt been fit so i shouldnt be so harsh there...but no excuses about the others.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Yea defiantly GF.

I've heard Shiels has had a back injury and only used in desperation, not sure Montella is fully fit either.

Heard we bossed the scrum at the weekend, at least we can say Barrow, Lawson and Brookes have been positives.

I think Shiels picked up the problem playing for us in the draw against the Saxons. Sorry about that.

The fact that hes barely played this season suggests theres a more serious long term problem with him.

Sarge, whats your opinion on Vickers? Ive just drilled on the unoffy for saying if Shiels and Montanella were fit he wouldnt be there. Everyone saying hes the first name on the team sheet.

Im not convinced.

He's been a bit of a revelation GF.

I've been very critical of Deano for continuing with him but each time I catch a game he looks better and better.

We've not been beaten by many in the scrum for a while now. I rate a fit Montella higher but Vickers has done a top job.

He's been a bit of a revelation GF.

Thats how Mark Smith described him...and the corner stone of the pack.

Ill hold my judgement for now then...

I'm not sure I'd call him the cornerstone, he looks considerably better when Brookes plays I think.

He's certainly a good option though and he's always been handy in the loose.

At least he doesn't have to throw anymore!

At least he doesn't have to throw anymore!.

  always a silver lining mate.

I agree he does look better with Brookes there...but then i rate Brookes very highly.

Brookes is very good GF, no idea how Thomas is ahead of him for England.

Yeah i agree, i have no idea either.

Newcastle Falcons v Saints:
1 Rob Vickers
2 Matt Thompson
3 Oliver Tomaszczyk
4 Scott MacLeod
5 Fraser McKenzie
6 Mark Wilson
7 Will Welch (c)
8 Ally Hogg

9 Mike Blair
10 Rory Clegg
11 Ryan Shortland
12 Jamie Helleur
13 Gonzalo Tiesi
14 Noah Cato
15 Alex Tait,

Replacements: 16 George McGuigan, 17 Gary Strain, 18 Kieran Brookes, 19 Sean Tomes, 20 Chris York, 21 Warren Fury, 22 Joel Hodgson, 23 Adam Powell

No Shiells or Montanella again but Gary Strain is there!! How serious are the injuries to these guys?
No Sinoti.
Lee Smith not there.
No Kibirige...
Brookes and McGuigan only on the bench??!!!

At least Godman is gone.

Sinoti out for a month.

Good side, hope we get at least another lbp but it'll be tight. I like the 9-13, starting to get some continuity.

Resting Brookes me thinks , Thompson is a big old unit and will get at Haywood.

Yeah i saw that about Sinoti. But why wont the coaching team just tell us who else is actually out injured.

It looks to me that Shiells is a serious concern if these rumours of a back problem are true but we dont know anything?

Yes 9-13 is looking better but why has it taken nearly to March to give Clegg and Blair a run of games rather than Godman.

Think we'll start announcing some more players in the next 4-6 weeks.

I have a strong feeling we'll make Gonz full time with the ARU funding part of his deal as they want a Bosch/Tiese midfield for RWC.

Its only really a few positions we actually need.

I have trust in Richards still, and think we have a real batch of classy academy youngsters ready to step up, many have sampled games this season already. He will get us there.

6-19 down and we bring it back to 16-22 at Full time for another LBP, well done boys!

That was an impressive Saints side, I'm happy with that result.

When does Nagle arrive? and is Barnes injured or just out of form?

Nagle is here now dude , Barnes hasn't really kicked on as much as i would of liked him too. Gonz is tops at 13 and Jamie a wrecking ball at 12.

Driver wrote:Nagle is here now dude , Barnes hasn't really kicked on as much as i would of liked him too. Gonz is tops at 13 and Jamie a wrecking ball at 12.

Oh surprised to not see Nagle at least on the bench so. I'm guessing they are just getting him used to the club and the patterns etc.?

God knows what Deans plans are!

Barnes hasnt shown a huge amount to be fair...and could just be benched...or equally he could be injured...we just have no idea because communication coming out of KP is appalling.

Didn't relise Peely was coaching England U20s. Good for him.

Yeah been there a few seasons now...hence why they're doing well!   

BT Sport have made this game free to view for us not going to the game.

Which game? You've got BT sports Driver

I cam't find it on the box!

Falcons vs tigers

Plus got sky sports in for. £1 a month for 24 months

You might need your channel list updated.

Canny, something to watch this weekend

Ah VIP Box...all you'll every need for streaming in   

COYF!!

Big team news from the Midlands is that Manu Tuilagi is set to don the 13 jersey for Leicester.

We could see big Fraank return at 1 i think.

Driver, Judging by the unoffy...how could Frank repalce the first name on the teamsheet Mr Rob Vickers...whos been "sensational"...

Rotation is the best we can hope for, Vickers is meant to be a bit of leader on the pitch in the sense he drags you with him.

Well Vickers is actually playing well, ill give him that but i just feel that Montanella is another league above.

Im concerned about Grant Shiels. Its either one major back problem hes got...or he's just not rated and will be away in the summer.

Pilgrim signs for Leeds as of next season.

Vickers contract extension 2 years.

Looks like we'll be getting a new scrum half in.0

Luke Wilson will end up being promoed

Be nice to start hearing of some signings soon

Theres a young SH in the Academy...is it Andy Davies. He's had a few run outs already...probably work with him.

Id rather have kept Pilgrim and got shot of Fury. Cant see what he gives...

Feckin Phil Godman back in!!!!!!!!!What the feck is going on in Deans head??!!!!!
Clegg has looked better in the last few games than Godman has all season.

Newcastle Falcons:
1 Rob Vickers
2 Scott Lawson
3 Kieran Brookes
4 Scott MacLeod
5 Fraser McKenzie
6 Will Welch (c)
7 Andy Saull
8 Mark Wilson

9 Mike Blair
10 Phil Godman
11 Lee Smith
12 Adam Powell
13 Gonzalo Tiesi
14 Noah cato
15 Alex Tait,

Replacements: 16 George McGuigan, 17 Gary Strain, 18 Oliver Tomaszczyk, 19 Sean Tomes, 20 Chris York, 21 Warren Fury, 22 Joel Hodgson, 23 Danny Barnes

Godman!!! Aggghhhh!!!!!

Looking forward to seeing Smith

Fury is an absolute disgrace.

Godman played ok but Hodgson gives us so much more and with Smith kicking we don't him.

Smith impressive.

up to 60 minutes Falcons played well, i really think there close to clicking. Think they are just rushing things to much at the minute.

Fury hasn't showed anything even last year in the championship...hes another one of those curious selections that Dean Richards keeps picking.

If Smith is going to kick well then surely once and for all get rid of Godman.

Be interesting to see who we bring in in the summer. I don't think we actually need that many players...the core is not too bad..just a few players in key positions with a bit more quality...and hope that the rest of the young academy lads can make an impact like Scott Wilson, McGuigan etc can make.

For all this season has been hugely frustrating at times I still have faith in this coaching team that they can and are taking us in the right direction.

I would just like a little bit more communication from them.

I think we miss a go to ball in the pack & backs. Look at Tigers and they always have options to get them over the gain line and some front foot ball.

We need a big carrying backrower and something in the centres.

I'd like to see this side:

1. Montenella
2. Lawson
3. Brookes
4. McKenzie
5. Nagle
6. Barrow
7. Saull
8. Wilson

9. Blair
10. Hodgeson

11. Cato
12. Powell
13. Sinoti
14. Smith
15. Tait

Moving forward we're still needing a lock, 8, 10, centre.

Love to see Barrow back playing, we really miss him.